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Stalybridge Celtic 2-2 AFC Telford Utd

13/ 8/2008

CELTIC set out on their quest to go one better than last season with an entertaining rollercoaster of an encounter against one of their perceived promotion rivals.

Steve Torpey gave the Celts a dream start when he notched the Blue Square North’s first goal of the season on seven minutes, courtesy of a wicked deflection off Telford skipper Stuart Whitehead.

The Bucks were struggling to cope with Celtic’s fast, fluid football, although ex-Blood Terry Fearns did come close to equalising when he rounded Paul Phillips, only to see his shot brilliantly cleared off the line by Barrie Keeling.

At the other end Lee Ellington, Chris Williams and goalscorer Torpey all went close to doubling the lead, but undoubtedly the best chance fell to new boy Nathan Joynes who really must be wondering how he put his header wide of a gaping goal almost on the stroke of half time.

It was almost inevitable that the visitors would immediately sweep upfield and catch Celtic napping with a quickly taken free kick that led to Jon Adams powering home a header from Liam Blakeman’s cross.

All Celtic’s good first-half work appeared to have gone to waste as United opened the second half brightly.

Emeke Nwadike flashed a header just wide, Fearns blasted over and Andy Brown’s header sailed just the wrong side of the post with Celtic’s defence creaked under the pressure.

A second goal appeared inevitable and it came on 61 minutes when a Martin Naylor throw was not cleared and Brown lashed a shot high into the roof of the net.

Two minutes later Fearns had a golden opportunity to make the game safe but incredibly scuffed his shot wide when in acres of space.

Steve Burr’s men took advantage of that stroke of good fortune on 71 minutes when Joynes released Ashley Woolliscroft on the right and his raking cross was thumped home at the far post by Williams.

Having got back into it Celtic finished the game much the stronger and were unfortunate not to snatch all three points.

Joynes headed against the outside of the post and substitute Nicky Platt twice went close only to be denied by Telford keeper Ryan Young.

All in all, a satisfactory first outing for Burr’s new-look side, although he will surely have been disappointed that the defence was undone by two set pieces – but there were plenty of encouraging signs.

Attendance: 762

Keith Trudgeon